The course aims to provide students with an in-depth and interdisciplinary understanding of the history and cultures of the Himalayan region, with particular emphasis on Tibet. Students will develop critical skills in analyzing historical, literary, and artistic sources and gain the ability to interpret the cultural, religious, and political dynamics that have shaped the region over the centuries.
The course also promotes a broader awareness of Asian cultural diversity and of the historical and cultural relationships between Tibet, South Asia, and China, offering a solid foundation for further study in fields such as history, religious studies, anthropology, or philology.
Regular attendance is strongly recommended, as many sources will be presented and contextualized during class sessions. The instructor will provide online materials to support individual study. Optional visits to museum collections may be included.
Teaching methods:
Lectures supported by multimedia resources (images, maps, documentary videos).
Collective analysis and discussion of historical sources in translation and literary texts.
Optional student presentations on thematic topics.
Use of digital platforms for sharing course materials and supplementary resources.
The teaching approach is designed to foster active and interdisciplinary learning.
Final oral exam: assessment of the student’s understanding of the course content, critical analysis skills, and ability to elaborate original interpretations.
Optional intermediate assessments: short written assignments or in-class presentations on topics agreed upon with the instructor.
Active participation will be positively considered in the overall evaluation.
SAM VAN SCHAIK, TIBET, STORIA DI UN POPOLO E DI UNA NAZIONE, LONGANESI, MILANO 2015.
MATTHEW KAPSTEIN, THE TIBETANS, BLACKWELL PUBLISHING , OXFORD, 2006.
TIBETAN LITERATURE
Studies in Genre , José Ignacio Cabezon and Roger R. Jackson (eds), Snow Lion, Ithaca, 1996
The course offers an introductory yet structured overview of the civilizations that have developed in the Himalayan region—particularly in Northern India, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and China—from prehistory to the contemporary era. Emphasis will be placed on the historical, religious, cultural, and artistic dynamics that have made this area one of the most fascinating and complex in Asia.
Special attention will be devoted to the following key periods and themes:
Prehistoric and protohistoric cultures of the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions;
The course will also include interdisciplinary modules focusing on Tibetan art and iconography, sacred poetry and music, and key elements of traditional Tibetan medicine.
Italian; English if requested by international students
In-person attendance is strongly recommended, as many of the sources and materials discussed will be presented and contextualized during classroom sessions. The instructor will provide a selection of online resources to support individual study and preparation.
